My girl is getting the keyhole surgery done on Tuesday, she is nearly 10 months old.. I am very lucky as my vet does it at his practice and gets a specialist in just for that with all the equipment. I have done a lot of research and hopefully the recovery time is much quicker and also the operation is less invasive. there is no more risk of Pyometra ( one of my girls died of that) as it is season related.. my vet told me that she will be up and running again with no collar on either after 24 hours.. there will be 3 small holes and a few days of anti inflammatory tablets but that is it.. I chose this method as with my other 2 they are so wild playing together I dreaded the stitches etc.. one of my late girls nearly scratched her stitches out with her back leg..the operation is more expensive but because it is the first year my vet is doing it, he only charges 350 euro, compared to the 750 I was quoted by the veterinary hospital... I am still worried about it ( as they are my babes) but hopefully all will be right...

As the only complication post spaying I've experienced was with my last dog and the wound got hot and red and there was infection (and they said her body was rejecting the 'internal vanishing stitches'?) I would say if you have the choice go for the keyhole surgery. Far less trauma involved.

No choice of that here but my vet was HIGHLY recommended and Bella's scar is now totally invisible down the middle.

I only wish I'd known about this increased risk of mammary cancer and pyometra in unspayed bitches when I had my old GSD. She had both at the same time - it was the end of her. I only found out when I had my Cavvie spayed on the advice of the vet telling me about the increased risks.

She was four (and didn't seem to be grown up until about then). Bella was done when she was about 1 yr old.

Thank you for your thoughts, It really helps with the decision making Mastines33 can you please keep me updated on how it goes for you and your girl,good luck with it I would prefer to have it done at my own vets but as this place i've seen does this method alot I guess they are experienced and they will take her on just for the spay and follow up's and then i'll continue with my normal vet.

Lady was spayed by keyhole.

No issues.

When I picked her up she jumped up at me with excitement and I was obviously worried, but the Vet told me she was fine and in fact I could take her for a walk if I wanted.

I paid £150 at the time along with a £75 voucher from the dogs trust, so the cost was £225. The cost of a normal spay at the time was £150.

My bitches were spayed by the conventional method at reasonable costs and suffered absolutely no problems post op or later in life. One is still around, healthy as can be.

I guess it is like us.

I had my appendix taken out by keyhole surgery, it does not cause as much trauma to the fascia etc as normal surgery so is beneficial.